KYIV, May 3– Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s short-term truce, calling it a show rather than a real effort for peace, according to France 24. “It is impossible to develop a plan for the next steps to end the war in just a few days,” Zelensky said on Friday. “This is just a theatrical performance.” Russia had refused a longer 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine and the United States had suggested. Instead, Russia offered only a short pause in fighting. Meanwhile, tensions are growing as Russia prepares to celebrate its Victory Day on May 9. Ru

KYIV, May 3– Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s short-term truce, calling it a show rather than a real effort for peace, according to France 24. “It is impossible to develop a plan for the next steps to end the war in just a few days,” Zelensky said on Friday. “This is just a theatrical performance.” Russia had refused a longer 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine and the United States had suggested. Instead, Russia offered only a short pause in fighting. Meanwhile, tensions are growing as Russia prepares to celebrate its Victory Day on May 9. Russian officials have accused Zelensky of putting the event at risk. “He is threatening the physical safety of veterans,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. She said his words were a “direct threat.” Zelensky responded by saying Ukraine cannot be blamed for anything that might happen in Russia on that day. “We cannot take responsibility for what is happening on the territory of the Russian Federation,” he explained. He warned that Russia might “take various steps, such as arson, explosions, and then blame us.” Despite the ongoing conflict, around 20 world leaders, including China’s President Xi Jinping, are expected to attend the celebrations in Moscow. In the United States, officials are pushing for a real end to the war. “We are looking for a complete, durable ceasefire and an end to the conflict,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. “Not just a three-day moment so you can celebrate something else.” Bruce added that U.S. President Donald Trump will decide if diplomatic efforts should continue. Trump has taken a new approach to Russia since becoming president. In February, he and Zelensky had a heated meeting at the White House during a discussion about a mineral deal. Later, the two leaders met again at the Vatican. After that meeting, Zelensky said their conversation had improved. “We had the best conversation out of all those that preceded it,” he said. “I am confident that after our meeting in the Vatican, President Trump began to look at things a little differently.” Ukraine has since changed the mineral deal, allowing both the U.S. and Ukraine to work together on developing Ukraine’s resources. However, the deal does not include any specific promises to protect Ukraine.

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